Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX)

Applications for FLEX 2025-2026 are open.

If you are interested in applying for the FLEX program this year, please check this link @FLEXprogramarmenia | Linktree for:

Eligibility criteria, application link, video explaining how to complete the application.

Applicants who fulfill eligibility requirements can participate in the recruitment process from any location that has Internet access, using either a mobile device or a computer.

Eligibility requirements:

The FLEX Program competition is free and open to anyone willing to take part and fulfilling eligibility requirements.

In order to participate in testing in 2024, participants have to meet all of the following criteria:

1. Date of birth: 15 February 2007 – 15 July 2010

2. Must be enrolled in and attending school in Armenia and be a student of the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade in school (8th ,9th, 10th,11th and 12th grade for students with physical disabilities); or I, II, or III*, IV* year of college, that corresponds to grades 9-12 of school

   * Students in their final grade of school or college who are required to complete military service are not eligible.

3. Have good and excellent grades;

4. Know English and demonstrate it during the selection process;

5. Be a citizen of Armenia, be able to receive an Armenian passport;

6. Meet the J-1 visa requirements.

7. Not having stayed in the USA for three (3) months or more during the past five (5) years.

Students may not participate if:

• they do not meet the above criteria;

• they have stayed in the USA for three (3) months or more during the past five (5) years;

• their family (or family member):
  –  has applied or is applying to emigrate to the USA;
  –  has made plans to emigrate or has already emigrated to the USA.

FLEX Program will be conducting testing in 3 rounds from August to December 2024:

Round 1: Open to eligible applicants from August 1st to October 10, 2024. This round includes a preliminary online application and 3 essay questions that must be submitted within 10 days of starting the application.

To apply, visit 

https://ais.americancouncils.org/flex

Round 2: Students will be invited to take part in an online English test.

Round 3: This semi-finalist round will include an interview, 3 more essay questions, the full application, and a comprehensive English test. Students who pass to this stage will be invited to participate by the American Councils office in their country.

If you have any questions, please email flex.am@americancouncils.org

Discover FLEX, Discover the World

The Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) is a cultural exchange program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and administered in Armenia by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS (American Councils).

1993-1994 was the first program year of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program. FLEX was created from the belief of former Senator Bill Bradley that the best way to ensure long-lasting peace and mutual understanding between the U.S. and the countries of Eurasia is to enable young people to learn about the U.S. and Americans firsthand, and to teach Americans about their countries.

FLEX is a highly competitive, merit-based scholarship program funded by the U.S. Department of State that operates in Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Over 35,000 students compete annually in multiple rounds of testing to earn a FLEX scholarship, which provides for them to spend an academic year in the United States living with a volunteer host family and attending a U.S. high school.

While in the U.S., FLEX students gain leadership skills, learn about American society and values, and teach Americans about their home countries and cultures. FLEX students perform community service in their U.S. communities and act as ambassadors of their home countries. Many are inspired by this spirit of volunteerism to develop and implement innovative projects in their home countries, using the skills and ideas they gained while on program. FLEX students are naturally curious and enthusiastic citizens of the world. 

More information about the FLEX program is available here: https://www.discoverflex.org/